THIEVES have “ruined” a businessman’s firm — after they made off with two huge cement mixing trucks.

Mark Rushton, owner of Absolute Concrete LTD, said the burglars have crippled his business by stealing the vehicles which the company depends on daily.

He has been forced to pass customers on to rival companies while he arranges for replacement trucks to avoid turning away more business.

Burglars cut through gates of the business in James Street Industrial Estate, Westhoughton, and stole two distinctive cement mixer vehicles — which are both bright yellow and both display the company’s name and contact details in large blue writing.

Mr Ruston, who started the business in 2004, said: “These trucks have been definitely targeted. Someone has seen these trucks and thought “I want one of those”. I found out a few hours after it happened when one of drivers called to say there had been a break-in at the site. I thought it was in the offices but when he said the trucks had gone I couldn’t believe it.

“The recession was impossible but we survived and things were just getting good with the business, we could cope with the work that was coming in. They have ruined me. I will have to borrow money for another truck.”

One of the stolen vehicles was a six wheel DAF truck and one was a Mercedes four wheel truck.

A neighbouring business caught the thieves driving away on camera shortly after 4am on Thursday.

The 47-year-old company boss, from Westhoughton, employs three staff.

Mr Rushton said: “There’s only so much you can do. Somebody probably earned a couple of thousand pounds for this job and they are probably laughing now.

“It is just sick, absolutely horrible what they have done. I have got to go and find another wagon now — they aren’t going to come back. My customers need concrete and if I am not supplying then somebody else will. If I sit down for long I will be shutting shop.

“We work hard and this happens.”

Mr Rushton said someone, perhaps taxi drivers of emergency services staff, must have seen the vehicles being driven around the area early in the morning.

The company is insured but Mr Rushton has decided not to make a claim due to the delay in replacing the vehicles and the risk of the insurance increasing.

He believes the wagons have been stolen to order.

Police confirmed an investigation had been launched.

People with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Comments (12)

Are the Vehicles fitted with Trackers ???
400 quid a piece is a good investment to recover these vehicles
The scum who pinch these vehicles get away with it time after time.
These vehicles will have been stolen to order
Will have been repainted and awaiting use.
Pikeys more than likely are the culprits...!!

Are the Vehicles fitted with Trackers ???
400 quid a piece is a good investment to recover these vehicles
The scum who pinch these vehicles get away with it time after time.
These vehicles will have been stolen to order
Will have been repainted and awaiting use.
Pikeys more than likely are the culprits...!!p.rhanna

Big thank you to Miranda and all those people that have been in touch with Mark over the last few days. We will not let this ruin the business. Mark has fought too long and too hard over the last 10 years to give up no matter what. The ability to give good reliable service to all our customers is paramount to us and we will be back up and running at full strength very soon so to all customers old and new please don't let this stop you giving us a call if you need any concrete, stone or concrete lego blocks in the Bolton area and continue to support a local firm. Thank you.

Big thank you to Miranda and all those people that have been in touch with Mark over the last few days. We will not let this ruin the business. Mark has fought too long and too hard over the last 10 years to give up no matter what. The ability to give good reliable service to all our customers is paramount to us and we will be back up and running at full strength very soon so to all customers old and new please don't let this stop you giving us a call if you need any concrete, stone or concrete lego blocks in the Bolton area and continue to support a local firm. Thank you.Carolyne Rushton

Carolyne Rushton wrote:
Big thank you to Miranda and all those people that have been in touch with Mark over the last few days. We will not let this ruin the business. Mark has fought too long and too hard over the last 10 years to give up no matter what. The ability to give good reliable service to all our customers is paramount to us and we will be back up and running at full strength very soon so to all customers old and new please don't let this stop you giving us a call if you need any concrete, stone or concrete lego blocks in the Bolton area and continue to support a local firm. Thank you.

Good luck, nothing is safe anymore. :-)

[quote][p][bold]Carolyne Rushton[/bold] wrote:
Big thank you to Miranda and all those people that have been in touch with Mark over the last few days. We will not let this ruin the business. Mark has fought too long and too hard over the last 10 years to give up no matter what. The ability to give good reliable service to all our customers is paramount to us and we will be back up and running at full strength very soon so to all customers old and new please don't let this stop you giving us a call if you need any concrete, stone or concrete lego blocks in the Bolton area and continue to support a local firm. Thank you.[/p][/quote]Good luck, nothing is safe anymore. :-)Randolf Litler !!!

Hoosier you are an idiot. Try looking at how devasting this is to a hardworking business than casting aspersions!!
This man works long hours and delivers a fantastic service and product.
Having two trucks stolen on a well planned and organised robbery could devastate a business very quickly.
To those who blame travellers you should be ashamed.

Good luck to Absolute Concrete in finding these culprits and bringing them to justice.

Hoosier you are an idiot. Try looking at how devasting this is to a hardworking business than casting aspersions!!
This man works long hours and delivers a fantastic service and product.
Having two trucks stolen on a well planned and organised robbery could devastate a business very quickly.
To those who blame travellers you should be ashamed.
Good luck to Absolute Concrete in finding these culprits and bringing them to justice.Nannette

Nannette wrote:
Apologies Hoosier its Dr Doo Little who wrote that nonsense

No problem, it was dr doo little and it was a stupid remark. They might have their eeal names hidden from public but bolton news know who they are and it states at the bottom before you hit post comment " you are personally responsible for what you post........"

[quote][p][bold]Nannette[/bold] wrote:
Apologies Hoosier its Dr Doo Little who wrote that nonsense[/p][/quote]No problem, it was dr doo little and it was a stupid remark. They might have their eeal names hidden from public but bolton news know who they are and it states at the bottom before you hit post comment " you are personally responsible for what you post........"HOOSIER

Nannette wrote:
Hoosier you are an idiot. Try looking at how devasting this is to a hardworking business than casting aspersions!!
This man works long hours and delivers a fantastic service and product.
Having two trucks stolen on a well planned and organised robbery could devastate a business very quickly.
To those who blame travellers you should be ashamed.

Good luck to Absolute Concrete in finding these culprits and bringing them to justice.

Well Irish people are certainly big in the heavy plant stealing industry but with these specialised vehicles can only be another concrete firm and not a million miles away one would think.

[quote][p][bold]Nannette[/bold] wrote:
Hoosier you are an idiot. Try looking at how devasting this is to a hardworking business than casting aspersions!!
This man works long hours and delivers a fantastic service and product.
Having two trucks stolen on a well planned and organised robbery could devastate a business very quickly.
To those who blame travellers you should be ashamed.
Good luck to Absolute Concrete in finding these culprits and bringing them to justice.[/p][/quote]Well Irish people are certainly big in the heavy plant stealing industry but with these specialised vehicles can only be another concrete firm and not a million miles away one would think.Wolfie190